Town Decides Only Free Meters for Holidays

The Town Council has decided that only on street parking meters will be free during a two week holiday period this year, reversing an experiment last year with allowing the parking lots to also be free during the holiday season.

During a meeting Tuesday evening, the Council discussed the issues surrounding the town's traditional free parking during the holiday season. Mayor Andy Skibitsky said the town had received feedback from local businesses that the free lots had been misused during the 2008 holiday season. He said the businesses said the free lots were misused by downtown employees and commuters who parked for free during the entire day.

"We got mixed feedback," Skibitsky said in an interview following the meeting. "It defeats the purpose of doing it."

The free downtown parking during the holiday season is designed to bring shoppers downtown. Last year was the first time the lots had been designated free along with the meters.

During a discussion, Council members said they support the idea of moving back to the free meters only, with part of the discussion centering on the finances of parking in Westfield. The bagging of the meters only will cost the town $7,500 in parking revenue for the two weeks, while making the lots free as well costs a total of $32,500 in revenue for the town. During the meeting, town officials said parking revenue is slightly down this year.

The Council stressed the decision was based on the needs of the businesses and the misuse of the free lots last year than on the revenue shortage. The decision to focus on the meters only drew support.

"I support this decision," Councilwoman Joann Neylan said.